New York Giants: No Sam Darnold regrets yet

Don’t buy into the click-bait claiming that the New York Giants should already regret not taking quarterback Sam Darnold over Saquon Barkley.

The reactions caused by Monday’s game between the New York Jets and Detroit Lions, a contest dominated by Gang Green to the tune of 48-17, were deliciously and comically predictable. Multiple outlets didn’t disappoint in embracing the easy narrative.

It took less than 24 hours after rookie quarterback Sam Darnold’s outstanding performance versus the Lions, one that started with a pick-six before he tossed a pair of touchdowns to teammates and completed 16-of-21 passes for 198 yards, for some to boldly claim the New York Giants whiffed by drafting running back Saquon Barkley instead of Darnold.

ESPN personality Max Kellerman expressed buyer’s remorse about Big Blue’s draft decision during a First Take segment on Tuesday morning. Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead wrote that both the Giants and Cleveland Browns “have to regret” passing on Darnold.

The latter is a particularly hilarious opinion considering Baker Mayfield, Cleveland’s rookie quarterback and the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, looked like the best first-year signal-caller throughout the summer and the preseason, and hasn’t played a down of meaningful football in September.

Literally everybody who understands the industry knows the score here. Only the most fire takes are acceptable to generate buzz. It is what it is, and it conveniently ignores rumors that some within the Detroit locker room may already be staging a mutiny against new head coach Matt Patricia, and that multiple Lions players visibly and clearly quit in the second half of Monday’s game.

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None of this is meant to be a knock on Darnold, who performed like the real deal in his debut. Nor is it a comment about any Jets fans feeling optimistic about the franchise’s future with Darnold under center. The offensive CEO who turned 21 years old in June could turn out to be the best quarterback of his draft class and an all-time great one day enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Maybe, though, everyone should just borrow from Aaron Rodgers and R-E-L-A-X. Yes, the Jets are 1-0 with a 21-year-old quarterback, and the Giants are 0-1 with a 37-year old who turns 38 in January leading the offense.

The fall season hasn’t yet begun. Christmas merchandise isn’t available in the majority of stores. Let Darnold actually win Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, MVP and Super Bowl MVP before we crown him.

Everybody reading this is probably old enough to remember when Sam Bradford won Rookie of the Year honors. Or when Robert Griffin III was allegedly on the cusp of changing the NFL forever. Or when Andrew Luck was a never-before-seen hybrid of John Elway and Peyton Manning incapable of not winning multiple Super Bowl titles before turning 30 (he’ll be 30 years old next September).

Perhaps the Giants will regret not offering the Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the second overall pick for the right to draft Mayfield. In time, head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman may wish they would have traded down and taken Lamar Jackson when he was still on the board. Barkley could be everything and more the Giants believe he’ll become as he enters his prime.

Unless a rookie quarterback hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy next February, nobody will know what team really won the 2018 NFL Draft for some time. It’s often said draft classes can be thoroughly evaluated and graded only three or four seasons after the fact.

Sports fans are prisoners of the moment. We can’t help ourselves. The next big thing is always the best thing, especially when it’s represented in such a highly rated prospect who plays well early into his career. Yes, the Giants may eventually regret passing on Darnold. They don’t yet, though, and neither should any fans.